Portable alternative-energy powered pump assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular pump system permits combining multiple discrete pump assemblies in serial and/or parallel configurations to tailor system output to user needs. The assemblies may be combined by hand quickly, without the needs for tools, to permit use in remote areas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and incorporates herein by referencein its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/373,212,titled “Portable Alternative-Energy Powered Pump Assembly,” filed Aug.10, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems for and methods ofpumping a fluid and, more specifically, to a solar- or other alternativeenergy-powered portable and expandable pump assembly for providing waterin remote areas.

BACKGROUND

Basic pump design requires two primary inputs: design head and fluidflow requirements. Based on these two inputs, practitioners may design apump assembly that includes a pump and motor with sufficient power toraise a volume of fluid, e.g., water, to a desired height to satisfyboth the design head and volumetric or fluid flow requirements. Often,the pump assembly is an electrically powered, off-the-shelf component.

Water is a valuable resource for raising crops, for raising animals, forcooking, for hygiene, and for human consumption. In many regions of theworld, however, water is not readily accessible due to any of a numberof factors that may include, for example, the depth to an aquifer orwater table (which may change from time to time and from season toseason), the cost of drilling and installing a well, the cost of a pumpassembly to raise water to the Earth's surface, the cost andavailability of electrical power for operating a pump motor or otherdevice, and so forth.

SUMMARY

When conventional design information is not known in advance, designvariables may change rapidly, e.g., due to a drought or other natural orman-made occurrence, and/or off-the-shelf pumps may not readilyavailable. In such situations, smaller size pumps hydraulicallyconnected in series may be used to provide greater head for pumping afluid, while smaller capacity pumps hydraulically connected in parallelmay be used to increase the volumetric or fluid flow rate. Thus, pumpassemblies including pumps connected both in series and in parallel mayprovide a greater head capability and a greater fluid flow.

In those regions of the world in which water may otherwise be accessibleto the inhabitants, it may be desirable to provide water to localinhabitants using a portable pumping system, e.g., a pump assembly thatcan be transported to any desired location and powered using solar powercells or other alternative-energy power-generating system. It may alsobe desirable to provide a portable pump assembly that includes pumphousings that facilitate coupling a first pump housing to one or moreadditional pump housings to create, as necessary, a serial- and/orparallel-type configuration to address local needs (e.g., head,volumetric or fluid flow rate, and the like), as well as changes tothose needs.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the invention generally relate to apump. In some embodiments, the pump includes a pump housing thatincludes an inner chamber adapted to accommodate a pump, an inlet fordrawing fluid into the pump, an outlet for expelling fluid from thepump, and an elongate outer casing surrounding the inner chamber. Insome implementations, the outer casing includes first and second quickconnects for coupling, in serial- and/or parallel-type configurations, afirst pump housing to one or more additional pump housings. In somevariations, the pump housing is adapted to couple to corresponding pumphousings in a combined serial- and parallel-type configuration. The pumpmay further include a pump motor, e.g., an electric (DC) pump, abrushless (DC) pump, a rotary pump, a centrifugal pump, a submersiblepump, an axial flow pump, a positive displacement pump, a reciprocatingpump, and combinations thereof, disposed in the inner chamber.

In some implementations, the elongate outer casing is substantiallycylindrical in shape, rectangular shaped, box-like, and/or substantiallysector-shaped and/or includes opposing faces that are planar and/orarcuate. In some variations, the arcuate faces include convex andconcave faces, such that a convex face of a first outer casing iscouplable to a concave face of a second outer casing to provide theparallel-type configuration of pump assemblies.

In some implementations, the first quick connect may be attached orcoupled to the outer casing of the pump housing and may be a slidingpeg-slot connector, magnets of opposing polarity, a T-slot and nutconnection, a flanged rail-slot connector, a dovetailed connection, ahollow conduit having protrusions on a sidewall thereof, and/or a hollowconduit having arms extending from a sidewall thereof. In somevariations, the sliding peg is formed on a convex portion of theelongate outer casing and the slot connector is formed in a concaveportion of the elongate outer casing and/or the slot connector forms anon-linear opening. In some applications, the first quick connectincludes components located at opposing locations on the sidewall of thepump housing.

In some implementations, the second quick connect may be located at anend of the pump housing and may be a bayonet-type connection, magnets ofopposing polarity, a screw-on type connection, a hollow conduit having aflexible clip including an aperture or opening on a sidewall thereof,and a hollow conduit having an annular ring and/or a disk on a sidewallthereof. In some variations, the bayonet-type connection is formed at anend of the outer casing and is couplable with a mating bayonet-typeconnection formed at an end of another outer casing to provide theserial-type configuration of pump assemblies. In some applications, thesecond quick connect includes components located at opposing ends of thepump housing.

In a particular embodiment, the first quick connect is disposed at theoutlet, and the second quick connect is disposed at the inlet. In someimplementations, the pump housing is configured for coupling to a secondpump housing in a serial-type configuration using at least one of thequick connects.

In some applications, the first quick connect includes a sidewalldefining a hollow conduit, a proximal end in fluid communication withthe outlet of the pump housing, a distal end adapted to form fluidcommunication with and to be removably attachable to a second quickconnect of a second pump housing, and protrusions located on thesidewall, each protrusion adapted to engage a corresponding openinglocated in a flexible clip of the second quick connect of the secondpump housing. In some applications, the first quick connect may befixedly attached to the outlet, incorporated into the outlet, and/orremovably attachable to some portion of the pump housing proximate theoutlet.

In some applications, the second quick connect includes a sidewalldefining a hollow conduit, a distal end adapted to form fluidcommunication with and to be removably attachable to a first quickconnect of a second pump housing, a proximal end in fluid communicationwith the inlet of the pump housing, and a flexible clip comprisingopenings configured for retaining a corresponding protrusion located ona sidewall of the first quick connect of the second pump housing. Insome variations, the second quick connect is to fixedly attached to theinlet, incorporated into the inlet, and removably attachable to someportion of the pump housing proximate the inlet

In still another application, the second quick connect includes asidewall defining a hollow conduit, a proximal end in fluidcommunication with the outlet of the pump housing, a distal end adaptedto form fluid communication with and to be removably attachable to afirst quick connect of a second pump housing, and arms extending fromthe sidewall and including a corresponding protrusion adapted to engagean annular ring and/or a disk located on the first quick connect of thesecond pump housing. In a further application, the second quick connectmay be fixedly attached to the outlet, incorporated into the outlet,and/or removably attachable to some portion of the pump housingproximate the outlet.

In another application, the first quick connect may include a sidewalldefining a hollow conduit, a distal end adapted to form fluidcommunication with and to be removably attachable to a second quickconnect of a second pump housing, and an annular ring and/or a diskconfigured to retain protrusions located on a corresponding arm of thesecond quick connect of the second pump housing. In a furtherapplication, the first quick connect may be fixedly attached to inletof, incorporated into the inlet, and/or removably attachable to someportion of the pump housing proximate the inlet.

In some variations, the pump assembly includes a sealing device locatedbetween the first quick connect and the second quick connect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features and advantages of embodiments of the inventionwill become more apparent from a reading of the following description inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a pump assembly in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 1B and 10 show perspective views of opposite sides of a box-shapedpump assembly having sliding L-shaped connections in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1D shows a plan view of sector-shaped pump assemblies in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1E shows a plan view of two pump assemblies having dovetailedconnections in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A shows a front perspective view of two pump assemblieshydraulically coupled in parallel in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a side perspective view of the two pump assemblies of FIG.2A hydraulically coupled in parallel in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 2C shows a cross-section perspective view of the two pumpassemblies of FIG. 2A hydraulically coupled in parallel in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2D shows a top (plan) view of the two pump assemblies of FIG. 2Ahydraulically coupled in parallel in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2E shows a side perspective view of a connection manifold for threepump assemblies in a parallel-type configuration in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of electrical isolation for an upperconnection portion of a pump assembly for a serial-type configuration inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of electrical isolation for a lowerconnection portion of a pump assembly for a serial-type configuration inaccordance with other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of electrical isolation for an upperconnection portion of a pump assembly for a serial-type configuration inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3D shows a perspective view of electrical isolation for a lowerconnection portion of a pump assembly for a serial-type configuration inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3E shows a perspective view of the upper connection portion of FIG.3C mechanically, hydraulically, and electrically coupled to the lowerconnection portion of FIG. 3D in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A shows a front perspective view of two pump assemblieshydraulically coupled in series in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4B shows a cross-section perspective view of the two pumpassemblies of FIG. 4A hydraulically coupled in series in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A shows an exploded view of upper and lower pump housings havingfirst and second quick connects in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the first and second quick connectsof FIG. 5A in a connected state in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5C shows a cross-sectional view of the first and second quickconnect of FIG. 5B in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6A shows an exploded perspective view of individual/replacementfirst and second quick connects in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6B shows an exploded perspective view of alternativeindividual/replacement first and second quick connects in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7A shows an exploded side view of upper and lower pump housinghaving alternative first and second quick connects in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the alternative first and secondquick connects of FIG. 7A in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7C shows a cross-sectional view of the alternative first and secondquick connects of FIG. 7B in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a four pump assemblieshydraulically coupled in parallel and in series in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9A shows a first side perspective view of electrical connectionsfor electrically coupling a first pump assembly to a second pumpassembly in a parallel-type configuration in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9B shows a second side perspective view of the electricalconnections for electrically coupling a first pump assembly to a secondpump assembly in a parallel-type configuration in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of an external electrical connectionfor a screw-on type connection in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the external electrical connectionof FIG. 10A attached to an upper connection portion of a pump assemblyin accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10C shows a perspective view of a fully assembled externalelectrical connection and upper connection portion of FIG. 10B inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10D shows a perspective view of an external electrical connectionfor a bayonet mount-type connection in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 11A shows a filter adapter coupled to a lower connection portion ofa pump assembly using a bayonet mount-type connection in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11B shows a filter adapter coupled to a lower connection portion ofa pump assembly using a screw-on type connection in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of a portable, alternative-energy poweredpump assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pump assemblies 100, 100′ in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention are shown in FIGS. 1A through 10. In some embodiments,the pump assembly 100 includes an upper connection portion 10 (thatprovides an outlet for expelling fluid from the pump assembly 100), anintervening housing portion 20 (providing an outer casing and an innerchamber), and a lower connection portion 30 (that provides an inlet fordrawing fluid into the pump assembly 100). In some variations, the pumpassembly 100 is manufactured from materials such as, for the purpose ofillustration and not limitation, metal, metal alloy, hard plastic, orcombinations thereof. Advantageously, the upper and lower connectionportions 10, 30 may be adapted to enable users to couple operatively andquickly one pump assembly 100 to one or more other pump assemblies 100in a serial-type configuration to provide greater pumping pressure head,while the housing portion 20 may be adapted to enable users to coupleoperatively and quickly one or more other pump assemblies 100 in aparallel-type configuration to provide great fluid flow.

Pump Assembly

In some embodiments, the upper connection portion 10 includes a firsthollow or substantially hollow portion (e.g., an annular tube or ring)12 and a second hollow or substantially hollow portion (e.g., an annulartube or ring) 14 that are fixedly attached to each other, such that thehollow portions of the first annular ring 12 and of the second annularring 14 are hydraulically coupled to provide an outlet for expellingfluid from the inner chamber of the housing portion 20. Although thedrawings show each of the hollow portions 12, 14 making up the upperconnection (or outlet) portion 10 as cylindrical in shape externally,the invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Forexample, the shapes of the first and second hollow portions 12, 14 mayalso be triangular, rectangular, polyhedral, trapezoidal, oval, or thelike.

When, as shown, the first and second hollow portions 12, 14 arecylindrical in shape, in some variations, the cylindrical hollowportions 12, 14 may be fixedly attached to each other coaxially, suchthat the first hollow portion 12 is attached (e.g., welded, adhered,bonded, or the like) to a top portion, e.g., a circumferential ring 13,of the second hollow portion 14. The circumferential ring 13 may beconfigured (e.g., stepped) to accept and retain a sealing device, e.g.,an O-ring, a gasket, a washer, or the like, for the purpose of providinga watertight, or substantially watertight, seal about the first hollowportion 12 of the upper connection portion 10 when the first hollowportion 12 is operatively inserted into an opening in the lowerconnection portion 30 of another pump assembly 100. Optionally, oradditionally, a peripheral surface of the first hollow portion 12 mayinclude one or more grooves adapted to accommodate a coaxially mountedsealing device, e.g., an O-ring, for the purpose of providing awatertight, or substantially watertight, seal about the first hollowportion 12 of the upper connection portion 10 when the first hollowportion 12 is operatively inserted into an opening in the lowerconnection portion 30 of another pump assembly 100. In an optionalembodiment, rather than being fixedly attached, each of the first andsecond hollow portions 12, 14 may include a set of correspondingthreadings for removably screwing the first hollow portion 12 into thesecond hollow portion 14, or vice versa. Alternatively, portions 12, 14may be integrally formed as a single component.

Quick connect/disconnect devices 15 may be formed on or attached to anouter, peripheral surface 16 of the second hollow portion 14. The quickconnect/disconnect devices 15 are formed or attached to the peripheralsurface 16 in pairs, diametrically opposing one another or at some angleother than 180 degrees, to provide a particular circumferentialregistration with a mating pump assembly 100. Although FIG. 1A shows asingle pair of quick connect/disconnect devices 15, this is done forillustrative purposes only. Any number of pairs of quickconnect/disconnect devices 15 may be formed or attached to theperipheral surface 16 of the second hollow portion 14.

Exemplary quick connect/disconnect devices 15 can include, for thepurpose of illustration and not limitation, either portion of abayonet-type connection or bayonet mount, magnets of opposing polarity,a sliding peg-slot connector connection, a screw-on type threadedconnection, or the like. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that apair of quick connects/disconnects does not imply that each quickconnect/disconnect is the same as the other connecting device. Forexample, a bayonet mount protrusion, pin, or catch 15 may be formed orattached on one portion of the peripheral surface 16 of the secondhollow portion 14 and, paired with a second protrusion, pin, or catch 15or with a receiving socket 35 having a substantially L-shaped slot 37 atanother location on the peripheral surface 16 of the second hollowportion 14.

The pump housing 20 is operatively and fixedly connected to the upperconnection (or outlet) portion 10 at a distal end and to the lowerconnection (or inlet) portion 30 at a proximal end. In some embodiments,the pump housing 20 includes an elongate hollow shell or outer casingthat is adapted to provide a watertight, or substantially watertight,plenum or inner chamber 25 for accommodating the pump components (e.g.,pump, pump motor, electrical wiring, and the like). The pump housing 20may be configured as a single shell that provides protection fromexterior loads as well as a pressurized inner chamber 25 or plenum.Alternatively, the pump housing 20 may be configured with multipleshells, e.g., double shelled, that include, for example, an inner,pressurized shell for accommodating the pump components (e.g., pump,pump motor, electrical wiring, and the like) and an outer shell forexternal protection.

The pump housing 20 may take on any shape to facilitate installation ofthe pump housing 20 in a borehole, if required, and/or for quicklyattaching and detaching two or more pump assemblies 100 in aparallel-type configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2A through 2D. AlthoughFIGS. 2A through 2D show pump assemblies 100 with substantiallycylindrical pump housings 20, this is done for illustrative purposesonly. For example, instead of being substantially cylindrical, each ofthe pump housings 20 may be substantially rectangular or box-shaped(FIGS. 1B and 1C) or, in plan view, resemble a geometric sector (FIG.1D).

The pump housing 20 may be substantially cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1Aand FIGS. 2A through 2D, such that the pump housing 20 includes aperipheral sidewall 21 having opposing planar faces 22, 24 that areadapted to quickly attach and detach pump assemblies 100 in aparallel-type configuration, while preventing rotation around theconnecting mechanism. The faces 22, 24 may be of other geometries, suchas contoured, concave, convex, and the like. An exemplary quickconnect/disconnect (shown in FIG. 1A and FIGS. 2A through 2D) mayinclude a sliding peg and slot connector device in which a slidable peg26 with an enlarged head may be formed or attached to the one face 22 ofthe pump housing 20, while a slot connector 28 having an oversizedopening 29 capable of receiving the enlarged head of the slidable peg 26may be formed in the other face 24 of the pump housing 20. Although theopening of the slot connector 28 shown in the drawings is substantiallylinear, those skilled in the art can appreciate that slot connectors 28having a non-linear (e.g., curved) track may also be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 10, in yet another embodiment, the pump housing20′ may be substantially rectangular- or box-shaped. In someapplications, the pump housing 20′ may include a plurality, e.g., four,adjoining sidewalls 21′. In some implementations, diametrically opposingfirst sidewall 22′ and second sidewall faces 24′ may be adapted toquickly attach and detach pump assemblies 100′ in parallel, whilepreventing rotation around the connection mechanism. An exemplaryconnecting mechanism for the rectangular- or box-shaped pump housing 20′in FIGS. 1B and 10 may include a pair of, e.g., L-shaped (male) flangeconnections 23′ formed on or attached to the first sidewall face 22′ ofthe pump housing 20′ and a corresponding pair of, e.g., L-shaped,receiving (female) slot connections 27′ formed in or provided on thesecond sidewall face 24′ of the pump housing 20′. In some variations,the male flange connection 23′ may extend an entire longitudinal lengthof the sidewall face 22′ or, alternatively, any portion thereof.Similarly, the female slot connection 27′ can extend an entirelongitudinal length of the sidewall face 24′ or, alternatively, anyportion thereof. In some variations, each of the male flange 23′ andfemale slot connections 27′ is slightly tapered from the upperconnection portion 10′ to the lower connection portion 30′ to ensure asnug fit when the pair of male flange connections 23′ is introduced intorespective female slot connections 27′ at the upper connection portion10′ end of the pump assembly 100′ and translated to the lower connectionportion 30′ end. Optionally, a stop 33 may be provided at a lower end ofone or more of the female slot connections 27′ to arrest furthertranslation of the male flange connection(s) 23′.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, the connection may be a dovetailedconnection (FIG. 1E), including a dovetailed (male) portion 23 formed onor attached to the convex face 22 of the pump housing 20 in combinationwith a slot or socket (female) portion 27 formed in the concave face 24of the pump housing 20, for receiving the dovetailed male portion 23. Insome variations, the dovetailed (male) portion 23 can extend an entirelongitudinal length of one face of the pump housing 20 or,alternatively, any portion thereof. Similarly, the slot or socket(female) portion 27 can extend an entire longitudinal length of theother face of the pump housing 20 or, alternatively, any portionthereof. Further exemplary embodiments of quick connects/disconnects caninclude providing respective portions of a hook and loop connectiondevice on faces, providing magnets of opposing polarity on opposingfaces, and/or providing a T-slot and nut-type connection on opposingfaces.

In some implementations, the lower connection portion 30 forms anopening 32 that is dimensioned to accommodate and provide a watertight,or substantially watertight, seal around a conduit and/or the firsthollow portion 12 of the upper connection portion 10 of a second pumphousing attached serially to a first pump housing. In someimplementations, an annular ring 34 is formed about the circumference ofthe opening 32 on a planar portion 36 of the lower connection portion30. In some variations, the outer dimension of the annular ring 34 isdimensioned to fit into the circumferential ring 13 of the second hollowportion 14 of the upper connection portion 10 of a second pump housingattached serially to a first pump housing. The annular ring 34 may befurther configured to engage a sealing device, e.g., an O-ring, agasket, a washer, or the like, disposed in the circumferential ring 13,providing a watertight, or substantially watertight, seal about thefirst hollow portion 12 of the upper connection portion 10 of a secondpump housing attached serially to a first pump housing when the firsthollow portion 12 is operatively inserted into the opening 32 in thelower connection portion 30 of the first pump housing. Serialconnections between pump assemblies are discussed in greater detailbelow.

In some embodiments, an annular wall 38 extends axially from the planarportion 36 of the lower connection portion 30. An inner dimension of theannular wall 38, e.g., an inner diameter, may be sized to accommodate anouter dimension (e.g. an outer diameter) of a second hollow portion 14,of a second pump housing attached serially to a first pump housing toprovide a reliable, sliding fit between an interior surface 39 of theannular wall of a second pump housing and the peripheral surface 16 ofthe second hollow portion 14 of a first pump housing, when the firsthollow portion 12 of a first pump housing is operatively engaged in theopening 32 of the lower connection portion 30 of a second pump housing.

Quick connect/disconnect devices 35 may be formed in the annular wall 38of the lower connection portion 30. The quick connect/disconnect devices35 are formed in pairs and configured to mate with correspondingconnect/disconnect devices 15 of the upper connection portion 10 of asecond pump housing. Although FIG. 1A shows a single pair of quickconnect/disconnect devices 35, this is done for illustrative purposesonly. Any number of quick connect/disconnect devices 35 may be formed inthe annular wall 38 of the lower connection portion 30.

Exemplary quick connect/disconnect devices 35 can include, for thepurpose of illustration and not limitation, either portion of abayonet-type connection or bayonet mount, magnets of opposing polarity,a screw-on type threaded connection, or the like. Those skilled in theart can appreciate that a pair of quick connects/disconnects does notimply that each quick connect/disconnect is the same as the otherconnect/disconnect. For example, a bayonet mount protrusion, pin, orcatch 15 may be formed or attached on one portion of the annular wall 38of the lower connection portion 30 and paired with a bayonet mountreceiving socket 35 having a substantially L-shaped slot 37 at another(e.g., diametrically opposing) location on the annular wall 38 of thelower connection portion 30.

As shown in FIGS. 3C through 3E and discussed in more detail below, theupper connection portion 10″ and lower connection portion 30″ may bemechanically, electrically, and hydraulically coupled using a screw-ontype threaded connection. For example, in some embodiments, threadings58 may be formed on the upper connection portion 10″ and a threaded,screw-on cap 59 may be rotatably attached to the lower connectionportion 30″ of each pump assembly 100. In some variations, the screw-oncap 59 includes, on a peripheral surface, one or more ridges, flats, orprotrusions to facilitate gripping and turning the cap 59, e.g., by handor using a wrench. In one implementation, an annular, e.g., L-shaped,flange for holding the cap 59 at the lower connection portion 30″ may befixedly attached to the pump housing 20, e.g., at planar surface 36″.

Parallel-Type Configurations

Advantageously, as previously mentioned, the pump assemblies 100 andquick connects/disconnects 15, 35 of embodiments of the presentinvention allow quickly connecting or assembling a number of pumpassemblies 100 to provide greater head and/or greater volumetric orfluid flow. Referring to FIGS. 2A through 2D, a pair of pump assemblies100 a, 100 b are shown structurally joined in parallel to providegreater fluid flow. In the exemplary configuration, the connectionmechanism for connecting the pair of pump assemblies 100 a, 100 b inparallel includes a sliding peg and slot connector arrangement formed,respectively, on opposing faces 22 a, 24 b of the pump housings. Thoseskilled in the art can appreciate, however, that the connectionmechanism may include, instead, a dovetailed configuration, a magneticconnection, a hook and loop connection, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, a convex face 22 a formed on the pumphousing 20 a of a first pump assembly 100 a mates with the concave face24 b formed in the pump housing 20 b of a second pump assembly 100 b.More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the connection mechanism isa sliding peg and slot connector arrangement, the sliding peg 26 a ofthe first pump assembly 100 a may be inserted into the oversized opening29 b in the slot connector 28 b of the second pump assembly 100 b. Oncethe two pump housings 20 a, 20 b are properly positioned, the slidingpeg 26 a may be translated in a direction away from the oversizedopening 29 b. In some variations, the slot dimension (e.g., width) ofthe slot connector 28 b is slightly less than the post dimension of thesliding peg 26 a to provide a slight interference friction fit betweenthe inner surface of the slot connector 28 b and the peripheral surfaceof the post of the sliding peg 26 a.

Advantageously, the non-planar surfaces of the concave face 24 b of thesecond pump assembly 100 b and convex face 22 a of the first pumpassembly 100 a prevent the pump assemblies 100 a, 100 b from rotatingabout the sliding peg 26 a. Alternatively, two or more pairs of matingpegs and slots can be used to prevent relative rotation of the matinghousings. When more than two pump assemblies are joined in parallel, toavoid a substantially linear (in plane) arrangement of the pumpassemblies 100 a, 100 b (FIG. 2D), in some variations, the non-planarsurfaces of the concave 24 b and convex faces 22 a of the sidewall ofthe corresponding pump housings 20 d, 20 a and/or the orientation of thesliding peg 26 a may be configured to allow a non-linear (in plane),e.g., curvilinear, arrangement of the adjacent pump assemblies 100 b,100 a. Such a configuration can be used to provide an arrangement ofparallel pumps that forms all or some portion of a circle.

Connection Manifold for Parallel-Type Configurations

In some implementations, when multiple pump assemblies are mechanicallycoupled in a parallel-type configuration, connection manifolds may behydraulically coupled to the inlets (e.g., the first hollow portions ofthe upper connection portion) and/or the outlets (e.g., the openings ofthe lower connection portion) of the parallel pump assemblies, so thatthe fluid is drawn into the parallel pump assemblies through a commoninlet and expelled from the parallel pump assemblies from a commonoutlet. Those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that thecomponents of the connection manifold described in connection with theexpelling or delivery end of the pump assembly may be essentially thesame as those used for a connection manifold at the inlet end of thepump assembly.

FIG. 2E shows an illustrative embodiment of a connection manifold 40 fora parallel-type configuration. In some variations, the connectionmanifold 40 includes a substantially cylindrical, hollow trunk unionpiece 42 that is closed at a first (proximal) end 41 and that has anopening 43 at a second (distal) end. In between the first end 41 and theopening 43 are a number of substantially cylindrical, hollow branchconduits 44 a, 44 b, 44 c that are in fluid communication with the inner(hollow) portion and the opening 43 of the trunk union piece 42.Although FIG. 2E shows three branch conduits 44 a, 44 b, 44 c joiningthe trunk union piece 42, this is done for illustrative purposes only.Those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that any number ofhollow branch conduits may be formed in or with the trunk union piece42.

In some applications, a flexible conduit 46 a, 46 b, 46 c may beremovably and hydraulically attached, such that, for example, a firstend of each a flexible conduit 46 a, 46 b, 46 c is hydraulically coupledto a respective first hollow portion of the upper connection portions ofpump assemblies in a parallel-type configuration and, a second end ofeach flexible conduit 46 a, 46 b, 46 c is hydraulically coupled to arespective branch conduit 44 a, 44 b, 44 c of the trunk union piece 42.The connection at the first hollow portion can include a tightinterference fit, a clamp, threadings, and the like. To provide abetter, watertight seal between the flexible conduits 46 a, 46 b, 46 cand the branch conduits 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, a series of (e.g., triangular)annular ridges or rings 48 may be formed about and proximate the openingof each of the branch conduits 44 a, 44 b, 44 c. For reasons that willbe discussed in greater detail below, with this arrangement, separateelectrical leads or connections 49 a, 49 b, 49 c may be provided foreach pump assembly in the parallel-type configuration.

Advantageously, in one variation, the trunk union piece 42 may itself bean agglomeration of a number of individual (e.g., T-shaped or Y-shaped)portions that fit into one another to form the trunk union piece 42 in amodular manner. For example, each individual portion making up theassembled trunk union piece 42 can be slightly tapered at or near a(distal) opening end 43, such that the tapered opening end 43 of one ofthe individual pieces may be inserted into a (proximal) selectivelyclosable end 41. Alternatively, each of the opening end 43 and closableend 41 may be threaded, such that the opening end 43 may be screwed intothe closable end. Insertion of the opening end 43 into the selectivelycloseable end 41 may provide a tight interference or friction fitbetween the two adjoining individual portions. An end plug may beinserted, e.g., press fitted, screwed, or the like, into the hollowportion of one of the selectively closable ends 41 to provide awatertight, or substantially watertight, seal at that end 41.

In another implementation, instead of using a trunk union piece 42 incombination with flexible conduits 46 a, 46 b, 46 c, a more rigid unionpiece of pre-established dimension and size and having a fixed number ofopenings, e.g., two pump, three pump, or four pump versions, formechanically and hydraulically coupling to a fixed number of firsthollow portions 12 of upper connection portions 10 of a number of pumpassemblies 100 in a parallel-type configuration may be used.

Unlike the trunk union piece 42 with flexible conduits 46 a, 46 b, 46 c,the more rigid union piece can avoid having to provide separateelectrical leads or connections. Instead, advantageously, the more rigidunion piece may include, as part of the rigid union piece, integratedelectrical connections to electrically couple each of the pumpassemblies 100.

A similar or substantially similar connection manifold may behydraulically coupled to each of the inlets or openings 32 at the lowerconnection portion 30 of a number of pump assemblies 100 mechanicallyconnected in a parallel-type configuration. In one embodiment, the trunkunion piece, conduits, and flexible conduits can be essentially the sameas those described above in connection with the outlet assemblymanifold. For example, the connection manifold can include asubstantially cylindrical, hollow trunk union piece that is closed at afirst (proximal) end and that has an opening at a second (distal) end.In between the first end and the opening can be a number ofsubstantially cylindrical, hollow conduits that are in fluidcommunication with the inner (hollow) portion and the opening of thetrunk union piece. Advantageously, in one variation, the trunk unionpiece may itself be an agglomeration of a number of individual (e.g.,T-shaped or Y-shaped) portions that fit into one another to form thetrunk union piece in a modular manner. For example, each individualportion making up the assembled trunk union piece can be slightlytapered at or near a (distal) opening end, such that the tapered openingend of one of the individual pieces may be inserted into a (proximal)selectively closable end of a second individual piece. Insertion of theopening end of a first individual piece into the selectively closeableend of a second individual piece provides a tight interference orfriction fit between the two adjoining individual portions.Alternatively, each of the opening end and closable end may be threaded,such that the opening end may be screwed into the closable end. An endplug may be inserted, e.g., press fitted, screwed, or the like, into thehollow portion of one of the selectively closable ends to provide awatertight, or substantially watertight, seal at that end.

In some applications, each flexible conduit may be removably andhydraulically attached (e.g., at a first end) to a respective conduit ofthe trunk union piece. To provide a better, watertight seal between theflexible conduit and the conduit of the trunk union piece, a series of(e.g., triangular) annular ridges or rings may be formed about andproximate the opening of each of the conduits to the trunk union piece.The second end of each flexible conduit can, for example, include ahollow connection device, or be removably attached to a hollowconnection device, that is adapted to be mechanically and hydraulicallycoupled to the lower portion 30 of the pump assembly 100, to provide awatertight, or substantially watertight, seal at the opening in thelower portion 30 of the pump assembly 100 or, alternatively, about afilter (discussed below) that itself is mechanically and hydraulicallycoupled to the lower portion 30 of a pump assembly 100 in aparallel-type configuration, also to provide a watertight, orsubstantially watertight, seal at the opening in the lower portion 30 ofthe pump assembly 100.

Serial-Type Configurations

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pair of pump assemblies 100 c, 100 d areshown hydraulically joined in a serial-type configuration to providegreater pumping head. In the exemplary configuration, the first hollowportion 12 d of the upper connection portion 10 d of the lower pumpassembly 100 d is hydraulically coupled at and within the (inlet)opening 32 c in the lower connection portion 30 c of the upper pumpassembly 100 c. Optionally, in some applications, the hydraulic couplingmay include a close sliding interference fit between the first hollowportion 12 d of the upper connection portion 10 d of the lower pumpassembly 100 d and the opening 32 c in lower connection portion 30 c ofthe upper pump assembly 100 c. Advantageously, the close slidinginterference fit is sufficient to provide a watertight, or substantiallywatertight, seal. Alternatively, in applications in which a closesliding interference fit does not provide a sufficiently watertight, orsubstantially watertight, seal, the upper 100 c and lower pumpassemblies 100 d may require a more secure and reliable mechanicalconnection.

For example, in one implementation, one connection mechanism formechanically connecting the upper connection portion 10 d of the lowerpump assembly 100 d in a serial-type configuration with the lowerconnection portion 30 c of the upper pump assembly 100 c may includecorresponding bayonet mount connections formed opposed to each other onthe upper 10 d and lower connection portions 30 c of the respective,joined or to-be-joined pump assemblies 100 d, 100 c. As shown in FIG.4B, for the purpose or illustration and not limitation, an embodiment ofa bayonet mount connection for a serial quick connect/disconnect mayinclude a pair of protrusions, pins, or catches 15 d on the lower pumpassembly 100 d in combination with a corresponding pair of L-shapedslots 37 c in receiving sockets 35 c on the upper pump assembly 100 c.More particularly, angularly opposed protrusions, pins, or catches 15 dformed on or attached to the upper connection portion 10 d of the lowerpump assembly 100 d may be operatively engaged in correspondingangularly opposed receiving sockets 35 c formed in the annular wall 36 cof the lower connection portion 30 c of the upper pump assembly 100 c.Accordingly, attaching pump assemblies 100 c, 100 d in a serial-typeconfiguration may include, as the upper connection portion 10 d of thelower pump assembly 100 d is introduced into the lower connectionportion 30 c of the upper pump assembly 100 c, introducing respectiveprotrusions, pins, or catches 15 d formed on or attached to the upperconnection portion 10 d of the lower pump assembly 100 d into acorresponding receiving socket 35 c formed in the annular wall 36 c ofthe lower connection portion 30 c of the upper pump assembly 100 c. Oncethe first hollow portion 12 d of the upper connection portion 10 d andprotrusions, pins, or catches 15 d have been properly inserted, the pumpassemblies 100 c, 100 d may be twisted about a common longitudinal axisin opposite directions, such that each protrusion, pin, or catch 15 denters the L-shaped slot 37 c of the corresponding receiving socket 35c.

In a second implementation, another connection mechanism formechanically connecting the upper connection portion 10 d of the lowerpump assembly 100 d in a serial-type configuration to the lowerconnection portion 30 c of the upper pump assembly 100 c may includecorresponding magnetic parts formed on or attached to the upper 10 d andlower connection portions 30 c of the respective, joined or to-be-joinedpump assemblies 100 d, 100 c. A magnetic-type connection may include,for example, a first magnet portion, having a first magnetic polarity(negative or positive), disposed on the lower connection portion 30 c ofthe upper pump assembly 100 c, as well as a second magnet portion,having a second magnetic polarity that is opposite the polarity of thefirst magnet portion, disposed on the upper connection portion 10 d ofthe lower pump assembly 100 d. In some variations, each of the first andthe second magnet portions may have a rectangular or bar shape or a(e.g., circular, ovoid, or the like) disk shape, such that a magnetic(mechanical) connection may be effected by bringing the exposed surfacesof the bar- or disk-shaped magnets into proximity with one another.

Alternatively, in another variation, a single magnetic annular ring maybe adhesively or magnetically attached to, for example, thecircumferential ring 13 of the upper connection portion 10 d of thelower pump assembly 100 d, such that a magnetic (mechanical) connectionmay be effected by bringing the exposed surface of the magnetic annularring into contact with the ferrous metallic surface of the lowerconnection portion 30 c of the upper pump assembly 100 c. Those ofordinary skill in the art can appreciate that the single magneticannular ring may also be adhesively or magnetically attached to theupper pump assembly 100 c about the annular ring 34 on the planarportion 36 of the lower connection portion 30 c, such that a magnetic(mechanical) connection may be effected by bringing the exposed surfaceof the magnetic annular ring into contact with a ferrous metallicsurface of the upper connection portion 10 d of the lower pump assembly100 d.

In yet another implementation, a mechanism for mechanically connectingand fluidicly coupling an upper connection portion 10 j of a lower pumpassembly 100 j in a serial-type configuration with a lower connectionportion 30 i of an upper pump assembly 100 i may include a maleconnector 90 and a female connector 95, such as those shown in FIGS.5A-5C. In a first variation, the male connector 90 and the femaleconnector 95 may be fixedly attached to and/or incorporated into,respectively, the first hollow portion 12 j of the upper connectionportion 10 j of the lower pump assembly 100 j and the outer casing 109of the upper pump assembly 100 i. Alternatively, especially in the eventof damage to either or both of the original male connector 90 and thefemale connector 95, an individual/replacement male connector 90′ (FIG.6A) may be adapted to be removably inserted over any remaining,undamaged portion (e.g., stub) of the original male connector 90 and/oran individual/replacement female connector 95′ (FIG. 6A) may be adaptedto be removably inserted into the (inlet) opening of the upper pumphousing 100 i.

In some embodiments, the male connector 90 may include the first hollowportion 12 j of an upper connection portion 10 j of the lower pumpassembly 100 j. A plurality of first protrusions 91 (e.g., rectangularprotrusions), for providing a guide to facilitate connecting the femaleconnector 95 to the male connector 90, may be formed on the sidewall ofthe first hollow portion 12 j, for example, on diametrically opposingsides of the male connector 90. A plurality of second protrusions 93(e.g., triangular protrusions), for releasably attaching the maleconnector 90 to the female connector 95, may be formed on the sidewallfirst hollow portion 12 j, for example, on diametrically opposing sidesof the male connector 90. The opening 92 of the first hollow portion 12j provides the outlet of the lower pump housing 100 j. An annular shelf94 located at the opening 92 provides a planar surface upon which asealing device 101 (e.g., an O-ring, gasket, and the like) may be placedto provide a watertight or substantially watertight seal between themale connector 90 and the female connector 95 when the connectors 90, 95are properly mechanically and operatively connected.

In some embodiments, the female connector 95 may include a hollowconduit defined by upper sidewall 96 and a lower sidewall 98. In someapplications, an outer surface 102 of the upper sidewall 96 is fixedlyattached to (e.g., adhesively, welded, bonded, and the like) to anannular ring 104 that is, in turn, is fixedly attached to (e.g.,adhesively, welded, bonded, and the like) to an inner surface of theouter casing 109 of the upper pump housing 100 i. The opening defined byand at a proximal end of the upper sidewall 96 of the female connector95 may be structured and arranged to provide fluid communication and awatertight or substantially watertight seal with the (inlet) opening 32of the lower upper connection portion 30 i of the upper pump assembly100 i. The opening defined by and at a distal end of the lower sidewall98 of the female connector 95 may be structured and arranged to providefluid communication and a watertight or substantially watertight sealwith the male connector 90. A sealing device 101 (e.g., an O-ring,gasket, and the like) may be placed, e.g., on the annular shelf 94 ofthe male connector 90, to provide a watertight or substantiallywatertight seal between the male connector 90 and the female connector95 when the connectors 90, 95 are properly mechanically and operativelyconnected.

In some variations, a pair of flexible clips 97 are located ondiametrically opposing portions of the lower sidewall 98. In someapplications, an aperture or opening 99 may be formed in each flexibleclip 97. Advantageously, the locations of the flexible clips 97 on thefemale connector 95, the locations of the apertures or openings 99 onthe flexible clips 97, and the locations of the second protrusions 93 onthe male connector 90 are adapted so that, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C,when properly attached, the aperture opening 99 of each flexible clip 97engages and captures a corresponding second protrusion 93 to releasablyconnect the female connector 95 to the male connector 90. In someimplementations, when the male 90 and female connectors 95 are properlyattached, the sealing device 101 is compressed between the maleconnector 90 and the female connector 95, against the annular shelf 94,to provide a watertight or substantially watertight seal therebetween.

In some applications, e.g., to facilitate serial assembly of plural pumphousings 100 i, 100 j, in order to better guide the flexible clips 97 tothe second protrusions 93, gaps between the flexible clips 97 are leftat the exposed, lower edge of the lower sidewall 98 in the femaleconnector 95. The gap is configured to capture a pair of diametricallyopposed, e.g., rectangular or substantially rectangular, firstprotrusions 91 formed on the male connector 90 to orient the flexibleclips 97 and the apertures or openings 99 towards the second protrusions93.

Disconnecting pump assemblies 100 i, 100 j in a serial-typeconfigurations when the male 90 and female connectors 95 are fixedlyattached to or incorporated into the pump assemblies 100 i, 100 j, mayinvolve releasing the female connector 95 from the male connector 90,such that, in one variation, the flexible clips 97 may be simultaneouslyrotated away from the sidewall 91 of the male connector 90, so that thesecond protrusions 93 are no longer engaged or captured in the aperturesor openings 99 of their respective flexible clips 97. Once the secondprotrusions 93 are free of the apertures or openings 99 in the flexibleclips 97, the male connector 90 may be removed from inside the femaleconnector 95.

Referring to FIG. 6A, those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciatethat, when one or more of the male 90′ and female connectors 95′ is anindividual/replacement piece, that the individual piece is similar to orsubstantially the same as those shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, except that, forindividual/replacement male connector 90′, either the outer diameter ofthe individual/replacement male connector 90′ is sized to fit within theinner diameter of the (outlet) opening in the original first hollowportion or, alternatively, the inner diameter of the of theindividual/replacement male connector 90′ is sized to fit around theouter diameter of the original first hollow portion. For theindividual/replacement female connector 95′, the outer diameter of theupper sidewall of the individual/replacement female connector 95′ wouldbe sized to fit within the inner diameter of the (inlet) opening of theupper pump housing. Individual/replacement male and female connectorsmay be adapted to form watertight or substantially watertight seals whenremovably connected (e.g., by tight interference fit, screwed on or intoby threadings, and the like) or fixedly attached (e.g., adhesively,welded, bonded, and the like) to any remaining portion of pump housing.Preferably, at least two sealing devices may be used at each connectionor point of attachment to provide a watertight or substantiallywatertight seal.

When one or more of the male 90 and female connectors 95 is anindividual piece, disconnecting pump assemblies 100 i, 100 j in aserial-type configurations may involve simply withdrawing the sidewallof the individual/replacement male connector 90′ from within or aboutthe remaining portion (e.g., stub) of the original first hollow portion12 j and/or withdrawing the upper sidewall 96 of the female connector 95from within the (inlet) opening of the upper pump housing 100 i.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that when a connectionmanifold, such as shown in FIG. 2E, is used in a parallel-typeconfiguration of multiple pump assemblies, specialindividual/replacement connectors may be used for coupling each outletof the first hollow portion to the flexible conduit leading to the trunkunion piece (i.e., an upper manifold) and for coupling the flexibleconduit to the inlet opening of each female connector (i.e., a lowermanifold). For example, for mechanically and hydraulically coupling thefirst hollow portion of each pump assembly to the flexible conduitleading to the trunk union piece of an upper manifold, a hybridindividual/replacement female connector similar to the female connector95′ (FIG. 6A) may be used. In some applications, the lower sidewallportion and flexible clips of the hybrid female connector may be thesame or substantially the same as that shown and described in connectionwith the female connector 95 or the individual/replacement femaleconnector 95′. The upper sidewall portion, however, may be longer andsized with an outer diameter that is slightly less than the innerdiameter of the flexible conduit. In some variations, a series ofannular rings may be formed proximate and on a distal end of theelongate upper sidewall portion to provide, when the elongate uppersidewall portion is inserted into the flexible conduit, a watertight orsubstantially watertight seal.

For mechanically and hydraulically coupling the flexible clips of thefemale connectors 90 located at the (inlet) openings of each pumpassembly to the flexible conduit leading to the trunk union piece of alower manifold, a hybrid individual/replacement male connector similarto the male connector 90′ (FIG. 6A) may be used. For example, the hybridmale connector may be longer and sized with an outer diameter that isslightly less than the inner diameter of the flexible conduit. In somevariations, a series of annular rings may be formed proximate and on aproximal end of the elongate sidewall portion to provide, when theelongate sidewall portion is inserted into the flexible conduit, awatertight or substantially watertight seal.

In still another implementation, a mechanism for mechanically connectingand fluidicly coupling a lower connection portion 30 k of an upper pumpassembly 100 k with an upper connection portion 10 l of a lower pumpassembly 100 l in a serial-type configuration may include a maleconnector 110 and a female connector 115, such as those shown in FIGS.7A-7C. In some variations, the male connector 110 may be fixedlyattached to (e.g., adhesively, bonded, welded, or the like) the outercasing of the upper pump assembly 100 k, while the female connector 115may be fixedly attached to (e.g., adhesively, bonded, welded, or thelike) the outer casing of the lower pump assembly 100 l.

In some embodiments, the male connector 110 may include a hollow conduitdefined by an upper, e.g., cylindrical or substantially cylindrical,sidewall 112 and a lower, e.g., cylindrical or substantiallycylindrical, sidewall 114, with an annular ring or disk 113 separatingand delineating the two sidewalls 112, 114. Although embodiments of theinvention will be described, such that the male connector 110 is ofunitary construction, those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciatethat the upper 112 and lower sidewalls 114 may, instead, be manufacturedas a single, unitary piece and the annular ring or disk 113 attached tothe peripheral surface thereof. Alternatively, the upper sidewall 112,the lower sidewall 114, and the annular ring or disk 113 may bemanufactured as three individual pieces that may be joined together whenneeded.

The inner and outer diameters of each of the upper 112 and lowersidewalls 114 may be the same or substantially the same, or they maydiffer. In some implementations, the annular ring or disk 113 may forman annular piece having, in cross-section, a constant thickness or apartial frusto-conical profile (as shown in the drawings).

In some applications, the upper sidewall 112 may be formed at the(inlet) opening of the pump housing 100 k, while an opening 111 may beformed in the lower sidewall 114 at a distal end thereof. When properlyoperative coupled to the female connector 115, the opening 111 in thelower sidewall 114 of the male connector 110 is structured and arrangedto provide fluid communication and a watertight or substantiallywatertight seal with the female connector 115.

In some embodiments, the female connector 115 may include a hollowconduit defined by an upper, e.g., a cylindrical or substantiallycylindrical, sidewall 116 and a lower, e.g., a cylindrical orsubstantially cylindrical, sidewall 117. In some variations, a pair ofarms 119 may be formed to project from (e.g., in a direction parallel orsubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis through the femaleconnector 115) a peripheral surface of the upper sidewall 116. At leastone protrusion (e.g., triangular protrusions) 120 may be formed on aninside portion or face of each arm 119, such that the protrusions 120 onthe faces of the pair of arms 119 oppose or face each other. In someimplementations, the lower sidewall 117 is formed integrally with anannular disk portion 105 having a projecting sidewall 103 formed aboutthe peripheral edge of the annular disk portion 105. In some variations,the projecting sidewall 103 is perpendicular to or substantiallyperpendicular to the annular disk portion 105. An outer surface of theprojecting sidewall 103 may be fixedly attached (e.g., adhesively, byplastic welding, and the like) to an inner surface 107 of the outercasing of the lower pump housing 100 l.

In some applications, a proximal end and opening 118 of the uppersidewall 116 of the female connector 115 may be structured and arrangedto provide fluid communication and a watertight or substantiallywatertight seal with the opening 111 and distal end in the lowersidewall 114 of the male connector 110. A sealing device 101 (e.g., anO-ring, gasket, and the like) may be placed to provide a watertight orsubstantially watertight seal between the male connector 110 and thefemale connector 115 when the connectors 110, 115 are properlymechanically and operatively connected. In some implementations, thepoint of juncture between the upper sidewall 116 and the lower sidewall117 of the female connector 115 forms an annular shoulder 121 on whichthe sealing device 101 may be placed and against which the sealingdevice 101 may be compressed.

The protrusions 120 formed on the pair of arms 119 of the femaleconnector 115 and the annular ring or disk 113 formed or located on themale connector 110 are provided for releasably attaching the maleconnector 110 to the female connector 115 once the lower sidewall 114 ofthe male connector 110 has been properly inserted into the opening 118in the upper sidewall 116 of the female connector 115. As shown in FIGS.7B and 7C when the sealing device 101 is sufficiently compressed, e.g.,by the lower sidewall 114 of the male connector 110, against the annularshoulder 121 of the lower sidewall 117 of the female connector 115, eachof the protrusions 120 on the pair of arms 119 engages an upper surface122 of the annular ring or disk 113. Advantageously, the compressiveforce between the joined protrusions 120 and the annular ring or disk113 are of such a magnitude that the sealing device remains compressedbetween the male connector 110 and female connector 115, so as toprovide a watertight or substantially watertight seal.

Disconnecting pump assemblies in a serial-type configurations when themale 110 and female connectors 115 may involve releasing the femaleconnector 115 from the male connector 110, such that, in one variation,the pair of arms 119 may be simultaneously rotated away from the annularring or disk 113 of the male connector 110, so that the protrusions 120no longer engage or capture the annular ring or disk 113. Once theprotrusions 120 are free of the annular ring or disk 113, the lowersidewall 114 of the male connector 110 may be removed from inside theupper sidewall 116 of the female connector 115.

Referring to FIG. 6B, those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciatethat, when one or more of the male 110′ and female connectors 115′ is anindividual/replacement piece, that the individual piece is similar to orsubstantially the same as those shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, except that, forthe individual/replacement male connector 110′, either the outerdiameter of the upper sidewall of the individual/replacement maleconnector 110′ is sized to fit within the inner diameter of anyremaining portion of the original male connector or, alternatively, theinner diameter of the upper sidewall of the individual/replacement maleconnector 110′ is sized to fit around the outer diameter of anyremaining portion of the original male connector. For theindividual/replacement female connector 115′, either the outer diameterof the lower sidewall of the individual/replacement female connector115′ is sized to fit within the inner diameter of any remaining portionof the original female connector or, alternatively, the inner diameterof the lower sidewall of the individual/replacement female connector115′ is sized to fit around the outer diameter of any remaining portionof the original female connector. Preferably, at least two sealingdevices may be used at each connection or point of attachment to providea watertight or substantially watertight seal.

When one or more of the male 110′ and female connectors 115′ is anindividual piece, disconnecting the pump assemblies in a serial-typeconfigurations may involve simply withdrawing the upper sidewall of theindividual/replacement male connector 110′ from within or about theremaining portion (e.g., stub) of the original male portion 110 and/orwithdrawing the lower sidewall of the individual/replacement femaleconnector 115′, from within or about the remaining portion (e.g., stub)of the original female portion 115. Individual/replacement male andfemale connectors may be adapted to form watertight or substantiallywatertight seals when removably connected (e.g., by tight interferencefit, screwed on or into by threadings, and the like) or fixedly attached(e.g., adhesively, welded, bonded, and the like) to any remainingportion of pump housing.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that when a connectionmanifold, such as shown in FIG. 2E, is used in a parallel-typeconfiguration of multiple pump assemblies, specialindividual/replacement connectors may be used for coupling each outletof the female portion 115 to the flexible conduit leading to the trunkunion piece (i.e., an upper manifold). For example, for mechanically andhydraulically coupling the female connector 115 of each pump assembly tothe flexible conduit leading to the trunk union piece of an uppermanifold, a hybrid individual/replacement male connector similar to themale connector 110′ (FIG. 6B) may be used. In some applications, thelower sidewall portion and annular ring or disk of the hybrid maleconnector might be the same or substantially the same as that shown anddescribed in connection with the male connector 110 or theindividual/replacement male connector 110′. The upper sidewall portionof the hybrid male connector, however, may be longer and sized with anouter diameter that is slightly less than the inner diameter of theflexible conduit. In some variations, a series of annular rings may beformed proximate and on a distal end of the elongate upper sidewallportion to provide, when the elongate upper sidewall portion is insertedinto the flexible conduit, a watertight or substantially watertightseal.

As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of pump assemblies 100 e, 100 f, 100 g,and 100 h may be mechanically and hydraulically coupled in aconfiguration that includes both serial- and parallel-typeconfigurations. For example, pump assembly 100 e can be coupled inseries with pump assembly 100 g and pump assembly 100 f can coupled inseries with pump assembly 100 h. The serial connections can also becoupled in parallel to adjacent pump assemblies, to provide bothadditional fluid flow and head pressure. Although FIG. 8 only shows acombination in a two-by-two arrangement, the number of pump assembliesin series does not have to be the same as the number of pump assembliesin parallel. For example, while a particular fluid flow requirement canbe met using a pair of pump assemblies in a parallel-type configuration,the pumping head required may necessitate three or more pump assembliesin a serial-type configuration.

Electrical Connections and Insulation

Based on electric conductivity tests conducted on water, e.g., tap waterand water having a salinity of about one-sixth the salinity of seawater, current flows of about 0.01 A and 1.2 A were measured betweenopen terminals separated by about 12 mm in tap water and the salinewater, respectively. For the latter, when the distance between terminalswas increased to about 100 mm, current of about 0.33 A was measured.Advantageously, by isolating one terminal from the other, no currentflow was measured. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the presentinvention uses an electrical isolating component, e.g., an O-ring, toelectrically separate a positive terminal from a negative terminal andto seal one or more of the terminals from the water, since the pumpassemblies are used in wet environments and may optionally be submerged.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a first embodiment of electrical connectionsincludes inner 52 and outer electrical terminals 54 disposed on an upperconnection portion 10′ of a pump assembly for providing power to bayonetmount-type pump assemblies in a serial-type configuration. An isolationdevice, e.g., an O-ring 56, electrically separates the electricalterminals 52, 54. Although FIG. 3A shows that the electrical terminals52, 54 are formed proximate each other on the upper connection portion10′ of the pump assembly, so that the (O-ring) isolation device 56 isdisposed therebetween, this is done for illustrative purposes only. Inone variation, in order to provide additional protection against currentleakage, the electrical terminals 52, 54 may be formed on the upperconnection portion 10′ of the pump assembly diametrically opposed, oneither side of the first hollow portion 12′ of the upper connectionportion 10′, such that there is greater separation or distance betweenthe terminals 52, 54. In another variation, the inner terminal 52 may beoffset from the outer terminal 54 at an angle ranging between about 10and about 180 degrees, as measured from a transverse axis extendingthrough the opposing bayonet mount pins 15′.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a complementary first embodiment of electricalconnections includes inner 51 and outer electrical terminals 53 on alower connection portion 30′ of a pump assembly for mechanically,hydraulically, and electrically connecting the lower connection portion30′ to the upper connection portion 10′ of the pump assembly of FIG. 3A.In some applications, the inner terminal 51 is disposed on the planarportion 36′ proximate the opening 32′ and the outer terminal 53 isdisposed on the annular ring 34′. Although FIG. 3B shows that theelectrical terminals 51, 53 are formed proximate each other on the lowerconnection portion 30′ of the pump assembly, this is done forillustrative purposes only. In one variation, in order to provideadditional protection against current leakage, the electrical terminals51, 53 also may be formed on the lower connection portion 30′ of thepump assembly with the opening 32′ disposed therebetween. In anothervariation, the inner terminal 51 may be offset from the outer terminal53 at an angle ranging between about 10 and about 180 degrees asmeasured from a transverse axis extending through the opposing bayonetmount sockets 35′. Advantageously, the offset, e.g., a 10 degree or 180degree offset, ensures that the pair of inner electrical terminals 51,52 and the pair of outer terminal connections 53, 54 are properlyconnected in a correct radial position when the protrusions, pins, orcatches 15′, after being inserted in the corresponding sockets 35′, arerotated into their respective L-shaped slots 37′.

A second embodiment of complementary electrical connections, viz., inner51′ and outer electrical terminals 53′, on a lower connection portion30″ of a pump assembly, and inner 52′ and outer electrical terminals54′, on an upper connection portion 10″ of a pump assembly, formechanically, hydraulically, and electrically connecting the lowerconnection portion 30″ to the upper connection portion 10″ is shown inFIGS. 3C-3E. Referring to FIG. 3C, inner 52′ and outer annular ringelectrical terminals 54′ are disposed on an upper connection portion 10″of a pump assembly for providing power to a screw-on type coupling pumpassemblies in a serial-type configuration. An isolation device, e.g., anO-ring 56′, electrically separates the electrical terminals 52′, 54′.For illustrative purposes only, FIG. 3C shows an embodiment thatprovides additional protection against current leakage, as theelectrical terminals 52′, 54′ are formed on the upper connection portion10″ of the pump assembly with the first hollow portion 12″ of the upperconnection portion 10″ and the (O-ring) isolation device 56′ disposedbetween the terminals 52′, 54′, such that there is greater separation ordistance between the terminals 52′, 54′.

Referring to FIG. 3D, a complementary second embodiment of electricalconnections includes inner 51′ and outer electrical terminals 53′disposed on a lower connection portion 30″ of a pump assembly formechanically, hydraulically, and electrically connecting the lowerconnection portion 30″ to the upper connection portion 10″ of the pumpassembly of FIG. 3C using a screw-on type coupling. In someapplications, the inner terminal 51′ is disposed on the planar portion36″ proximate the opening 32″ and the outer terminal 53′ is disposed onthe annular ring 34″. Although FIG. 3D shows that the electricalterminals 51′, 53′ are formed on other sides of the opening 32″, this isdone for illustrative purposes only. Indeed, the electrical terminals51′, 53′ may also be formed more proximate and opposite one another, asare terminals 51 and 53 in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3E shows the upper connection portion 10″ of the pump assembly ofFIG. 3C mechanically, hydraulically, and electrically connected to thelower connection portion 30″ of the pump assembly of FIG. 3D, with aplurality of threadings 58 formed on the upper connection portion 10″and a threaded cap 59, having a plurality of threadings 57 formedthereon, rotatably attached to the upper connection portion 10″. Foradditional water tightness, pipe dope, PTFE, tape, etc. may be insertedon or between the mating threadings.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, electrical connection pairs, viz., upper62 and lower electrical terminals 64 on one face 22′″ of a pump housing20′″ of a pump assembly and upper 66 and lower electrical terminals 68on a mating face 24′″ of a pump housing 20′″ of a pump assembly, providepower to sliding peg and slot connection-type pump assemblies in aparallel-type configuration. An isolation device, e.g., an O-ring 65,electrically separates the electrical terminal pairs of oppositepolarity. The electrical terminal pairs are positioned on theirrespective faces 22′″ and 24′″, such that, once the slideable pegs 26′″on the first face 22′″ of a first pump housing have been inserted intorespective oversized openings 29′″ on a second face 24′″ of a secondpump housing and the pump assemblies have been moved with respect toeach other to translate the slideable pegs 26′″ to a desired positionwithin the slot connections 28′″, the upper terminal 62 on the firstface 22′″ is electrically coupled to the upper terminal 66 on the secondface 24′″ and the lower terminal 64 on the first face 22′″ iselectrically coupled to the lower terminal 68 on the second face 24′″.

In some applications, isolation between the terminal pairs, whencoupled, may be provided by a sealing device, e.g., O-ring 65, that isremovable or adhesively attached to the second face 24′″ about the lowerterminal 68. For example, in one variation, a groove 69 sized to receiveand accommodate the O-ring 65 may be formed in the surface of the secondface 24′″. Advantageously, the groove 69 holds the O-ring 65 inposition, thereby preserving the isolation against the sliding actionwhen the pump assemblies are fitted together in a parallel-typeconfiguration. To protect and isolate the electrical terminals disposedon faces of the pump assemblies in a parallel-type configuration, whichare not coupled to other electrical terminals, a protective side coveror side plate may be removably attached to the exposed, unconnectedface. Because, with any parallel-type configuration, one face of theoutermost pump assemblies will be exposed, there is a need for a sidecover or side plate for each of the exposed faces. For example, one ofthe side plates or side covers can include slot connections to interfacewith the slideable pegs 26′″ of the exposed first face 22′″, while theother slide plate or side cover can include slideable pegs to interfacewith the slot connections 28′″ of the exposed second face 24′″.

FIGS. 10A through 10D show illustrative embodiments of externalelectrical connections 70, 80 for electrically coupling a pump assemblyto a power source. FIGS. 10A through 10C, for example, show a firstembodiment of an external electrical connection 70 for a screw-on typeconnection, while FIG. 10D shows a second embodiment of an externalelectrical connection 80 for a bayonet mount-type connection. In someimplementations, the external electrical connection 70 is annular andincludes an opening 71 that is sized to accommodate the first hollowportion 12 of the upper connection portion 10 of a pump assembly. Insome variations, the annular electrical connection 70 may include anupper portion 72 and a bottom portion 74 having a top surface 79 and abottom surface 78. A pair of terminals 76 a, 76 b, which areelectrically coupled to a connection lead 73, project from the bottomsurface 78 of the lower portion 74. The bottom surface 78 may include anannular groove 77 that is sized to receive and accommodate a sealingdevice 75, e.g., an O-ring, that is configured to isolate the innerterminal 76 b from the outer terminal 76 a. A distal end of theconnection lead 73 is electrically coupled to a power supply sourcewhile a proximal end, which passes through the top surface 79 of thebottom portion 74, is electrically coupled to the pair of terminals 76a, 76 b.

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, in operation, the electrical connection70 may be installed about the first hollow portion 12 of the upperconnection portion 10, such that the pair of terminals 76 a, 76 b are inelectrical communication with a pair of corresponding terminals 55′, 52′(FIG. 3C) provided on the upper connection portion 10. To facilitateproperly aligning each of the pair of terminals 76 a, 76 b atop itscorresponding terminal 54′, 52′, a key, projection, or protuberance maybe attached to or formed on the bottom surface 78 of the lower portion74. In some variations, a channel or aperture for receiving the key,projection, or protuberance may be formed or provided in a planarportion of the upper connection portion 10. Alternatively, the terminalsmay be polarized, such that matching pairs of terminals attract oneanother or the terminals may be formed on annular rings.

Once the electrical connection 70 is properly installed on and about thefirst hollow portion 12, a screw-on cap 59 may be mechanically connectedto the threadings 58 formed on the upper connection portion 10. Thescrew-on cap 59 may include an opening through which the first hollowportion 12, the electrical lead 73, the upper portion 72, and someportion of the lower portion 74 may extend.

As shown in FIG. 10D, when the power assemblies include bayonetmount-type connections, in some applications, the external electricalconnection 80 for at least one of the power assemblies may include arounded, cylindrical or substantially cylindrical cap 85 having a topportion 82 and a peripheral sidewall portion 84. In some variations, thetop portion 82 may include apertures 81, 83 that are sized,respectively, to receive and accommodate the first hollow portion 12 ofthe upper connection portion 10 and to receive and accommodate theelectrical leads 73. A pair of (e.g., diametrically opposing orangularly offset) sockets 35 having L-shaped slots 37 may be formed inthe sidewall portion 84 and sized appropriately to receive andaccommodate a protrusion, pin, or catch 15 located on the first hollowportion 12 of the upper connection portion 10 to complete the bayonetmount.

Filters

In many uses, one or more of the pump assemblies may be all or partiallysubmerged in well water or a pond, stream, etc. In such instances, afilter attachment may be removably attached at and to the lowerconnection portion of the pump assembly to prevent or minimize largeparticulate or other foreign matter from entering the inner workings ofthe pump assembly. FIGS. 11A and 11B show embodiments of twoillustrative examples of filter attachments. For example, the filterattachment 86 shown in FIG. 11A may be used in connection with pumpassemblies having bayonet mount-type connections. In some applications,the filter attachment 86 may include a thin-walled, hollow, cylindricalportion 87 that is insertable into the opening 32 of the lowerconnection portion 30 to provide a watertight, or substantiallywatertight, seal. The distal end of the cylindrical portion 87 mayinclude a plurality of apertures 88 through which a fluid may be drawn.A screen material, e.g., a No. 200 screen, may be placed and heldagainst the apertures 88 to catch sand and gravel size particles thatmay harm the inner workings of the pump assembly. In some variations,the distal end of the cylindrical portion 87 may be beveled (as shown).Advantageously, a pair of protrusions, pins, or catches 89 maybe formed,e.g., to be diametrically opposed to each other, on the outer surface ofthe cylindrical portion 87. As previously described, each of the pairsof protrusions, pins, or catches 89 is configured to fit and lock intocorresponding L-shaped slots 37 of a bayonet mount-type socket 35.

The filter attachment 86′ in FIG. 11B may be used in connection withpump assemblies having screw-on type connections. In some applications,the filter attachment 86′ may include a thin-walled, hollow, cylindricalportion 87′ that is threaded and insertable into the screw-on cap 59 ofthe lower connection portion 30 to provide a watertight, orsubstantially watertight, seal. In some variations, one or more knobs,ridges, flats, or protrusions may be formed on a peripheral surface ofthe cylindrical portion 87′ to facilitate gripping and turning the cap59, e.g., by hand or using a wrench. The distal end of the cylindricalportion 87′ may include a plurality of apertures 88′ through which afluid may be drawn. A screen material, e.g., a No. 200 screen, may beplaced and held against the apertures 88′ to catch sand and gravel sizeparticles that may harm the inner workings of the pump assembly.

Portable, Solar-Panel Powered Pump Assembly

Advantageously, multiple pump assemblies 100 and their associated fluidconnections are relatively compact and lightweight, so as to be freelyand easily transported, e.g., by one or a few persons, to remote sites.More advantageously, the pump motor, power distribution, and powerdelivery connections are adapted for use in remote areas and, inparticular, to remote areas that are not serviced by an electrical(utility) power grid, a microgrid, or the like. Consequently, as shownin FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the portable pump assemblies 100 arefurther and advantageously adapted to be electrically couplable to analternative-energy power generating system, e.g., one or more solar(photovoltaic) panels or modules 202, that generate alternating current(AC) power. In some variations, the PV panels or modules 202 are adaptedto produce a relatively low- to medium-power capacity (e.g., up to about120 kW).

Electrical current from the PV panels or modules 202 for delivering, forexample, 24 VDC or the like, may be provided (e.g., via a utility bus204) to a rectifier, inverter, converter, or the like 204, as well as toa power distribution system 206, where it can be converted to directcurrent and further distributed (e.g., as DC power) to the pump motor(s)208. For the purpose of illustration and not limitation, the pump motors208 can include an electric (DC) pump, a brushless (DC) pump, a rotarypump, a centrifugal pump, a submersible pump, an axial flow pump, apositive displacement pump, a reciprocating pump, and combinationsthereof. Although the portable pump assembly 100 is described in termsof being powered by a lightweight, portable solar-panel(s) 202, those ofordinary skill in the art can appreciate that the portable pump assembly100 may also be powered by other alternative and/or renewable powergenerating systems 209.

For example, in regions of the world with wind suitable for powergeneration, wind turbine generators 203, sail-rotor wind mills, or thelike, some of which are portable and easily transported to remote areas,may be erected to provide power. Suitable wind turbine generators 203may include horizontal axis devices, vertical axis devices,Darrieus-type devices, Gorlov devices, and so forth. Hybrid systemsincorporating solar panels 202 for daytime operation and wind turbinegenerators 203 for day- and night-time operation are also within thescope of the present invention. Battery power may also be utilized.

While the present invention has been described herein in detail inrelation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understoodthat this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the presentinvention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full andenabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is notintended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwiseexclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1. A pump comprising: a pump housing including: an inner chamber adaptedto accommodate a pump; an inlet for drawing fluid into the pump; anoutlet for expelling fluid from the pump; and an elongate outer casingsurrounding the inner chamber and comprising each of a first quickconnect and a second quick connect, wherein the pump housing isconfigured for coupling to a corresponding pump housing in at least oneof a serial configuration and a parallel configuration using at leastone of the quick connects.
 2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the elongateouter casing is at least one of substantially cylindrical in shape,rectangular-shaped, box-like, and substantially sector-shaped.
 3. Thepump of claim 1, wherein the elongate outer casing comprises opposingfaces selected from the group consisting of planar and arcuate.
 4. Thepump of claim 3, wherein the arcuate faces comprise convex and concavefaces, such that a convex face of a first outer casing is couplable to aconcave face of a second outer casing to provide the parallelconfiguration of pump assemblies.
 5. The pump of claim 1, wherein thefirst quick connect is selected from the group consisting of a slidingpeg-slot connector, magnets of opposing polarity, a T-slot and nutconnection, a flanged rail-slot connector, a dovetailed connection, ahollow conduit comprising a plurality of protrusions on a sidewallthereof, and a hollow conduit comprising a plurality of arms extendingfrom a sidewall thereof.
 6. The pump of claim 5, wherein the sliding pegis formed on a convex portion of the elongate outer housing and the slotconnector is formed in a concave portion of the elongate outer housing.7. The pump of claim 6, wherein the slot connector forms a non-linearopening.
 8. The pump of claim 1, wherein the second quick connect isselected from the group consisting of a bayonet-type connection, ascrew-on type connection, magnets of opposing polarity, a hollow conduitcomprising a flexible clip including an opening on a sidewall thereof,and a hollow conduit comprising at least one of an annular ring and adisk on a sidewall thereof.
 9. The pump of claim 8, wherein thebayonet-type connection is formed at an end of the outer casing and iscouplable with a mating bayonet-type connection formed at an end ofanother outer casing to provide the serial configuration of pumpassemblies.
 10. The pump of claim 1, wherein the pump housing is adaptedto couple to a plurality of corresponding pump housings in a combinedserial and parallel configuration.
 11. The pump of claim 1, wherein thefirst quick connect is located at a sidewall of the pump housing. 12.The pump of claim 1, wherein the first quick connect comprisescomponents located at opposing locations on the sidewall of the pumphousing.
 13. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first quick connectcomprises components located at opposing ends of the pump housing. 14.The pump of claim 1, wherein the second quick connect is located at anend of the pump housing.
 15. The pump of claim 1, wherein the secondquick connect comprises components located at opposing ends of the pumphousing.
 16. The pump of claim 1, further comprising: a pump motordisposed in the inner chamber.
 17. The pump of claim 16, wherein thepump motor is selected from the group consisting of an electric (DC)pump, a brushless (DC) pump, a rotary pump, a centrifugal pump, asubmersible pump, an axial flow pump, a positive displacement pump, areciprocating pump, and combinations thereof.
 18. The pump of claim 1,wherein the first quick connect is disposed at the outlet; a secondquick connect disposed at the inlet; and the pump housing is configuredfor coupling to a corresponding pump housing in a serial configurationusing at least one of the quick connects.
 19. The pump of claim 18,wherein the first quick connect comprises: a sidewall defining a hollowconduit; a proximal end in fluid communication with the outlet of thepump housing; a distal end adapted to form fluid communication with andto be removably attachable to a second quick connect of a second pumphousing; and a plurality of protrusions located on the sidewall, eachprotrusion adapted to engage a corresponding opening located in aflexible clip of the second quick connect of the second pump housing.20. The pump of claim 19, wherein the first quick connect is at leastone of fixedly attached to the outlet, incorporated into the outlet, andremovably attachable to some portion of the pump housing proximate theoutlet.
 21. The pump of claim 18, wherein the second quick connectcomprises: a sidewall defining a hollow conduit; a distal end adapted toform fluid communication with and to be removably attachable to a firstquick connect of a second pump housing; a proximal end in fluidcommunication with the inlet of the pump housing; and a flexible clipcomprising a plurality of openings, each opening configured forretaining a corresponding protrusion located on a sidewall of the firstquick connect of the second pump housing.
 22. The pump of claim 21,wherein the second quick connect is at least one of fixedly attached tothe inlet, incorporated into the inlet, and removably attachable to someportion of the pump housing proximate the inlet.
 23. The pump of claim18 further comprising a sealing device located between the first quickconnect and the second quick connect.
 24. The pump of claim 18, whereinthe second quick connect comprises: a sidewall defining a hollowconduit; a proximal end in fluid communication with the outlet of thepump housing; a distal end adapted to form fluid communication with andto be removably attachable to a first quick connect of a second pumphousing; and a plurality of arms extending from the sidewall, each armcomprising a corresponding protrusion adapted to engage at least one ofan annular ring and a disk located on the second quick connect of thesecond pump housing.
 25. The pump of claim 24, wherein the second quickconnect is at least one of fixedly attached to the outlet, incorporatedinto the outlet, and removably attachable to some portion of the pumphousing proximate the outlet.
 26. The pump of claim 18, wherein thefirst quick connect comprises: a sidewall defining a hollow conduit; adistal end adapted to form fluid communication with and to be removablyattachable to a second quick connect of a second pump housing; aproximal end in fluid communication with the inlet of the pump assembly;and at least one of an annular ring and a disk configured to retain aplurality of protrusions, each protrusion located on a corresponding armof the first quick connect of the second pump housing.
 27. The pump ofclaim 26, wherein the first quick connect is at least one of fixedlyattached to the inlet, incorporated into the inlet, and removablyattachable to some portion of the pump housing proximate the inlet